Chief Operating Officer | Emerging Hospitality Group | NYC (New York City Metropolitan Area)

The Opportunity

An exciting new hospitality group in New York City is seeking an entrepreneurial Chief Operating Officer to join its founding leadership team and play a pivotal role in building the company from the ground up.

This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished restaurant operator who is ready to take the next step in their career. Working directly alongside ownership, this individual will be responsible for bringing thoughtfully developed concepts to life, establishing the operational foundation of the business, and helping shape the group's long-term growth.

Ownership has a strong creative vision and is looking for someone who brings the operational expertise, leadership, and entrepreneurial drive to execute it. The right person will have the autonomy to build teams, implement systems, and establish the standards that will define the company as it grows.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on building, loves hospitality, and is excited by the idea of being part of something from the very beginning.

The Role

As Chief Operating Officer, you will lead all aspects of restaurant operations, from pre-opening development through successful day-to-day execution. Working closely with ownership, you'll have the autonomy to establish operational infrastructure, recruit and develop leadership teams, implement financial controls, and create the standards that will define the group as it grows.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable developing a pre-opening budget, building a leadership team, analyzing a P&L, and being present on the restaurant floor, connecting with guests and supporting employees.

Above all, they are looking for someone who understands that exceptional hospitality starts with the people delivering it.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational development and successful opening of the group's first two NYC restaurant concepts, with responsibility for future openings.
• Work closely with ownership and development partners to bring each concept's creative vision to life while ensuring operational efficiency and financial viability.
• Build the group's operational infrastructure from the ground up, including SOPs, training programs, service standards, reporting systems, and technology platforms.
• Oversee pre-opening budgets, timelines, vendor relationships, purchasing, equipment needs, and operational readiness.
• Take full responsibility for restaurant P&Ls, financial performance, labor management, cost controls, and profitability.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, and develop leadership teams, including General Managers, culinary leaders, and beverage professionals.
• Establish a strong, people-first culture focused on employee development, retention, accountability, and genuine hospitality.
• Develop thoughtful service standards that reflect the distinct personality and guest experience of each concept.
• Oversee operational compliance, including licensing, health and safety regulations, HR processes, and payroll systems.
• Establish financial reporting, performance metrics, and operational controls that provide ownership with clear visibility into the business.
• Create a scalable operational playbook that can support additional restaurant openings and the group's long-term expansion.
• Maintain a strong presence in the restaurants, leading by example and ensuring the guest experience consistently reflects ownership's vision.

What They Are Looking For

• Minimum 8 years of progressive senior leadership experience within full-service restaurant operations.
• Proven success opening multiple restaurants, from pre-opening development through established, profitable operations.
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, labor management, and cost controls.
• Experience developing operational systems, procedures, and infrastructure rather than solely managing established processes.
• Background in sophisticated, high-volume, full-service dining environments with strong wine and beverage programs.
• A genuine passion for hospitality, with an appreciation for personalized service, guest relationships, and memorable dining experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and retain exceptional teams while creating a positive, supportive workplace culture.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with the ambition, flexibility, and resourcefulness to thrive in a growing company.
• Confidence to make decisions independently while collaborating closely with ownership and respecting the creative direction of each concept.
• A hands-on leadership style and willingness to do whatever is necessary to move the business forward.
• Strong knowledge of NYC restaurant operations, regulations, and the local hospitality landscape.
• Based in New York City and comfortable working in person.

This is an opportunity for an ambitious, accomplished restaurant operator who is ready for the next chapter of their career. Someone who wants more than another corporate leadership position and is excited by the challenge of building something meaningful from the beginning.